The MOC depicts Hill Valley in 2015, from Back to the Future II. And it’s incredibly detailed with the iconic courthouse, the water pond in front of it, the robotic Texaco station, the 8s Cafe, and even then The Mega-plex showing Jaws 19 in 4D (meh, the Shark still looks fake!). All perfectly to scale and greatly detailed.

So well put together in fact that there’s a movement to get LEGO to consider a Back to the Future line of products. There’s already a custom LEGO maker from Japan who we reported a few months ago that’s making Delorean sets (I don’t know how they get away with that). And with the recent 35 anniversary of the Trilogy, a LEGO Series on the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown would have great potential (Imagine a minifig with Doc’s hair, Great Scott!).

I think it’s a great idea, especially considering that LEGO already has a program where ideas can be submitted by fans and voted for manufacture. Here’s hoping we go Back to the Future Lego Style soon!

In addition to seeing the new line of LEGO Friends toys, there will be opportunities for kids to play with them, giving them the chance to build a Lemonade stand. And for every stand built, Toys R Us will donate $1 to the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation up to $10,000. This foundation raises needed funds for the ongoing fight against childhood cancer. And each kid will be able to take home their Lemonade Stand to enjoy.

Now for the rules – there’s always rules on these kind of things, aren’t there? Anyway, the rules are that the LEGO Friends event is for children, ages 5-up. Parental supervision is required at all times. And all event materials and giveaways available while supplies last and distributed to participating children only. Limit one per child. Quantities limited; no rain checks. Not available in states where prohibited by law. Yada yada yada.

But it should be a great opportunity for girls to see what all the hoopla is all about with the new LEGO Friends sets. Recently there was an uproar over the new Brick line because the figures look nothing like the standard LEGO Minifig and girls complain they don’t really need a girl centric LEGO set. So head on over and find out for yourself!

Hat Tip –

The sets seemed to be based on LEGOs Hero Factory line as they have the same basic connector pieces with just the addition of character specific ones and colors. The sets featured here are based on the Marvel Comics Avengers line and include Captain America, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk. Those are the most reasonable ones to feature as the Hawk and Black Widow are more “humanesque” and just wouldn’t really fly for it. Although I’m sure that girls would love to see more Black Widow (and smart guys, too!).

Personally, although I am a complete Iron Man geek, it’s hard not to like the Captain America one with that sweet shield. But the Hulk one is a bit puzzling since he’s not wearing the trademarked ripped purple pants. I know the cloth isn’t going to work well as a plastic piece, but why not the color? There are also DC Ultrabuilds coming, and they are priced at about $15. Look for them this Spring.

Hat Tip – FBTB

We already knew about LEGO Marvel Super Heroes coming, but here’s a breakdown of the 2012 sets we’ll see: #6865 Captain America’s Avenging Cycle, with Cap on Motobike and a rogue villain with vehicle. Then there’s #6866 Wolverine’s Chopper Showdown with Wolverine, Magneto and Deadpool minifigs. From the Avengers, we have #6867 Loki’s Cosmic Cube Escape … which features minifigs of Loki, Hawkeye and Ironman, with Jeep truck and the “Cosmic Cube.” The IronMan fig is supposed to be pretty sweet. #6868 Hulk’s Hellcarrier Breakout has the largest minifig ever with the Incredible Hulk, but there’s also minifigs of Hawkeye, Loki and Thor. And for you Black Widow fans, there’s #6869, the Quinjet Aerial Battle, which comes with Black Widow, Ironman, Thor and Loki minfigs.

Other sets coming include Ninjago #9448 Samurai Mech, and 9450 Epic Dragon Battle. LEGO City will offer a new Advent Calendar, Technic will feature a radio controlled Crawler set as well as a Helicopter (#9446). And the Creator line will feature #7347 Highway Pickup, and #7346 Seaside House. But my favorite line I’m looking forward to is LEGO Monster Hunters! Minifigs of Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman, plus sets in the classic 1930s monster movie design. I can’t wait!

One thing for you Harry Potter fans though. Looks like Harry and the gang will be casting a disappearing spell in 2012, with no new sets and news that it will be discontinued this summer, along with LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean and Alien Conquest.

Hat Tip – FBTB

Long long ago in a showspace far far away, LEGOs presence at the 2012 London Toy Fair in the UK was immense. And LEGO needed every spare inch of space as well as they previewed new toy sets and mini-figures for their existing toy lines, as well as some newcomers to the game which not only add more to my growing list of must haves, but should be quite popular around the world as well. Let’s take a look …

LEGO previewed planetary sets to add to their existing galaxy. This included sets for Yavin 4 (which included a nice X-Wing fighter and pilot minifigs), Bespin (which included a dual cloud car challenging your arrival and Lobot, Lando’s faithful right hand man), and the Forest Moon of Endor, complete with ATST “Chicken Walker) and Storm Troopers. Look for these out in August.

Other Star Wars sets will include a scaled down set for Republic Battle Cruiser Malevolence, Striker-class Starfighter with droid minfig, another JEDI Starfighter (flown by Saesee Tiin), a Sith Interceptor with Sith Trooper minifigs, and a Gungan Sub with Queen Amidala (although she was never on board that ship in Episode 1).

But the real stunner is bound to be #9516 Jabba’s Palace, complete with throne room, Sarlac pit, and a host of great minifigures including Jabba, Bib Fortuna, Gamorean Guard, Salacious Crumb, and Princess Leia in her bounty hunter disguise. Lastly, this year’s Advent Calendar will reflect the Prequels with Santa Darth Maul and an R2 Snowman. That’s bound to be fun.

There are other LEGO sets which are featured including the new Marvel Super Hero’s line and a great one called Monster Hunters. We hope to see more details on them later in the week. Stay tuned.

Hat Tip and photo credit- FBTB

In addition to these exclusive, collectible Anakin Podracing 3D specs, AMC plans to give away a host of other cool swag during the first weekend of the film’s 3D rerelease. With the purchase of a Real3D ticket (usually pushing $20, but hey, I’d drop a Jackson for that) kids will also get a Hasbro Star Wars FIGHTER PODS collectible toy. There will also be a LEGO Star Wars feature area, Darth Maul face-painting, special character appearances for photo opportunities
and demonstrations of the upcoming Xbox Kinect™ Star Wars™.

But not every AMC Theater will these special events. Check out the list below for a theater near you:

The 10 participating Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace exclusive event screening theatres are:

Atlanta: AMC Southlake 24; Boston: AMC Loews Liberty Tree Mall 20; Chicago: AMC South Barrington 30; Denver: AMC Highlands Ranch 24; Los Angeles: AMC Tustin 14 at The District; AMC Ontario Mills 30; New York: AMC Empire 25; AMC Garden State 16; Phoenix: AMC Mesa Grand 24; San Francisco: AMC Emeryville Bay Street 16

All giveaways are while supplies last, with limit of one per ticket. The promotion will take place February 10-12 only at the AMC Theaters listed above.

Hat Tip – AFI

“One brick to rule them all, one brick to find them, one brick to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them …”

Last month, we reported that LEGO had signed a deal with Warner Brothers to release minifigures and sets wrapped around the epic JRR Tolkein series (and Peter Jackson films) of The Lord of the Rings. The first character we saw appeared to be Frodo, holding the ring of power that he would have to take on a long journey to Mordor. Then came Aragorn’s turn. And now we have a new poster which has LEGOlas (yes, that’s right, everyone is jumping on that pun). But there’s more coming as we take the Fellowship’s journey towards summer …

Is this the Fellowship minfig lineup?

Some fans have been speculating that LEGO has very quietly been releasing LOTR minfigs in the LEGO Collectible Minifig Series with LEGOlas like elf in Series 3, a familiar looking dwarf (Gimli) in Series 5, and perhaps Aragorn’s Ranger look in Series 7. If so, that’s genius. It may also be LEGO’s way of seeing if an LOTR minfig is wanted. Of course, they’ve already got that answer.

But we’ve also been seeing leaked images of the sets being offered later this year including The Mines of Moria, The Battle of Helms Deep (can’t wait for that one), Attack on Weathertop, and a set built around the Army of the Urakai (orcs). Check out these images before we have to take them down! The complete LOTR line is launching this summer and there’s going to be some pretty slick sets, and you can bet that Traveller’s Tales will also release a LEGO Lord of the Rings Video Game.

Hat Tip – TheOneRing

LEGO Magazine has a new ad out for the Marvel Universe line of LEGO toys, and guess what … they’re coming just in time for my birthday! W00t!

According to From Bricks to Bothans, an April launch is a bit puzzling because we haven’t really seen any images (save the ones we posted from ComiCon here) or sets leaked. But if you look at the minifigs they’ve got in the ad, they’re pulling out the big guns right off the bat: Wolverine (with new steel claws replacing the typical LEGO U shaped hand), Captain America, a very oversized Hulk (seriously, he’s at least twice as large as the typical minifig), and then Tony Stark, aka IronMan.

The line of Marvel Heroes is part of the LEGO Super Heroes line, which was launched this month with DC Heroes (actually, they went on sale a few weeks early for Christmas last month). The opening salvo included SuperMan, Green Lantern, and Batman, with sets including Superman vs. Lex Luthor Exoskeleton. They’re all really super cool and is a perfect edition to the LEGO line. I can’t wait until LEGO comes out with the LEGO Super Hero Video game, with the same tongue and cheek fun as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and the like!

“Inspired by sci-fi, world history, mythology and everyday life, the LEGO minifigures collection continues with Series 6! Each unique and colorful character comes with special accessories, a display stand and a collector’s leaflet, and is packed inside a sealed “mystery” bag, so you never know which minifigure you’ll get. Collection includes: Roman Soldier, Highland Battler, Minotaur, Bandit, Classic Alien, Genie, Leprechaun, Intergalactic Girl, Butcher, Mechanic, Skater Girl, Surgeon, Sleepyhead, Clockwork Robot, Lady Liberty and Flamenco Dancer.”

Series 7 is right around the corner and will have the following: Punk Rocker, Aztec Warrior, Scottish Bag-Piper, Space Marine, Hippie, Black Knight, Little Red Riding Hood, Poseidon – god of the seas, Office Guy, Wedding Bride, Stunt Driver, Female Viking (cue Wagner, please). Tarzan Guy, Bunny-Suit Guy, Female Swimmer, and Tennis Player.

No word on when Series 7 is out yet, but for Series 6, if you’re looking to create a MiniFig movie on YouTube that pits scifi Little Green Men against a legion or Roman Centurions, now’s the time to get cracking on that minifigure code so you can collect enough Romans and Aliens to wage a cinematic battle!

Family Fun Magazine has named Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Toy of the Year for 2011. Other honorable mentions for the year include Meon Deluxe Animation Studio (which uses animation strips and light to create art), Perplexus Epic & Rookie (rotating puzzle balls), LEGO Alien Mothership set #7065 and the Razor BoGo PogoStick.

Our kid testers loved reconfiguring the obstacles and tracks while tester moms appreciated that the brackets adhere with 3M Command Strips, which don’t damage walls and can be easily replaced when the stickiness wears off. – Staff of Family Fun Magazine regarding Hot Wheels Toy Tracks

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Starter Set won appreciation from both kids and moms for it’s ease of construction, near infinite combinations, and simple cleanup. And at a price of $30 for the starter set and $17 for add on sets, Wall Tracks is a very affordable way to start your Hot Wheels collection or add to an existing one.

I think this is an excellent choice (although the color-able cardboard pirate ship has a certain play with the box vibe I like) for Toy of the Year, but I think they should break out into sub categories of girls toy of the year and boys toy of the year. As it stands, the top 10 toys (which also include the LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet, and Richard Scarry’s Airport) are all very male centric. Although I also am surprised that the Hot Wheels Video Racer didn’t crack the top ten, either.

What do you think should be the 2011 Toy of the Year? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!